Weston Park Agreement

This was the culmination of negotiations between the Britis and the Dublin government over the implementation of the GFA. Not all of the agreements have been implemented especially this section:

20. Both Governments also recognise that there is an issue to be addressed, with the completion of the early release scheme, about supporters of organisations now on cease-fire against whom there are outstanding prosecutions, and in some cases extradition proceedings, for offences committed before 10 April 1998. Such people would, if convicted, stand to benefit from the early release scheme. The Governments accept that it would be a natural development of the scheme for such prosecutions not to be pursued and will as soon as possible, and in any event before the end of the year, take such steps as are necessary in their jurisdictions to resolve this difficulty so that those concerned are no longer pursued.

Does anyone know why this has not happened over a decade on? Why are people like Gerry McGeough and even Gerry Adams (Boston tapes being seized for example) still being pursued?
Has the south stopped seeking prosecutions for acts during the troubles?

Re: Weston Park Agreement

Commenting on the arrest and decision to charge Donegal Republican John Downey in connection with an IRA bomb in London in 1982, Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly said;

“John Downey is a member of Sinn Féin and a long time supporter of the Peace Process. The decision to arrest and charge him in relation to IRA activities in the early 1980s is vindictive, unnecessary and unhelpful. It will cause anger within the Republican community.

“Clearly if John Downey had been arrested and convicted previously he would have been released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

“As part of the Weston Park negotiation the British Government committed to resolving the position of OTRs. John Downey received a letter from the NIO in 2007 stating that he was not wanted by the PSNI or any British Police Force. Despite travelling to England on many occasions now six years on he finds himself before the courts on these historic charges.

“This development represents bad faith and a departure from what was previously agreed by both governments.

“John Downey needs to be released and allowed to return home to his family.” ENDS